Crime To Burn

lilpyrogirl•www.crimetoburn.com

A true crime podcast where we explore the dark sooty landscape of crimes involving fire including arson and criminal negligence. Join us as we explore what really happened in some of the most horrific criminal fires in history. Hosted by April and some guy that’s seen Backdraft at least twice.

Last refreshed: July 4th, 2025 at 12:35 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Episode 8: The Conclusion of the Frito Bandito

We're finally back with the incredibly tardy conclusion to the John Orr case (aka: the Frito Bandito or the Pillowcase Pyro). If you haven't listened to parts 1 and 2, go do that before you listen to this part. But we owe you a huge apology. April's husband spent the summer without the use of one of his legs and as the only adult in the house with two working legs while undergoing a home renovation project and working a full time job, April had to put the pod on hold for a couple months. But we ...

Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 26 min•Ep. 8

Episode 7: The Frito Bandito, Part 2

This week we continue our series on the prolific arsonist once known as the Frito Bandito or the Pillowcase Pyro that terrorized California in the late 1980s. This week's episode brings you a plot twist as the investigators struggle to bring this horrific arsonist to justice. Sources will be released with the last episode of the series. Want to support the podcast? You can buy us a coffee at: https://ko-fi.com/crimetoburn

Apr 27, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 7

Episode 6: The Frito Bandito, Part 1

What started as a normal day in October of 1984 quickly turned to horror as a serial arsonist claimed 4 lives in a fire he set at an Ole's Hardware store in California. In Part 1, we'll cover his most deadly fire and how he achieved such nicknames as "The Pillow Pyro" and "The Frito Bandito." Will he be caught? Will all his crimes catch up to him? Listen to find out. Welcome to Crime to Burn created and hosted by Jenny and April. Sources will be posted with part 2 so as not to reveal any spoiler...

Apr 03, 2022•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 6

Episode 5: Mizpah Hotel in Reno, NV Part 2

In part 2 of this series dedicated to the memory of Reno Firefighter Mike Lackore, we get into the investigation and criminal trial following the Mizpah Hotel Fire in Reno, NV. Mike was on one of the first responding units to the Mizpah Hotel fire that occurred on Halloween night in 2006 in Reno, NV. This multi-fatality fire had a profound mental impact on the firefighters that reported to the scene and Mike Lackore’s good friend Battalion Chief Roger Mooney shared with me that he and Mike were ...

Mar 23, 2022•57 min•Ep. 5

Episode 4: Mizpah Hotel in Reno, NV Part 1

This week’s episode is dedicated to the memory of Reno Firefighter Mike Lackore. Mike was on one of the first responding units to the Mizpah Hotel fire that occurred on Halloween night in 2006 in Reno, NV. This multi-fatality fire had a profound mental impact on the firefighters that reported to the scene and Mike Lackore’s good friend Battalion Chief Roger Mooney shared with me that he and Mike were forever changed by the horrific events of that night. Mike passed away in 2011 but this fire alw...

Mar 15, 2022•1 hr 25 min•Ep. 4

Episode 3: Corsicana,TX Part 2

In our continuation of the investigation of the horrific fire that took the lives of three toddlers in Corsicana, TX, we really pick apart the investigation and the conviction of Cameron Todd Willingham. So, was an innocent man sentenced to death for a tragic accident or was it arson? Join us as we dig deeper into this case. Sources: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2009/09/07/trial-by-fire https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cameron_Todd_Willingham https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Hurst https:/...

Mar 03, 2022•1 hr 9 min•Ep. 3

Episode 2: Corsicana,TX Part 1

In this first of a two-part episode, we explore the horrific fire that took the lives of three toddlers in Corsicana, TX only 3 days before Christmas in 1991. A distraught and injured father told a neighbor to call 911 because his babies were inside his burning home. Was this a tragic accident or was it something more sinister? Join us as we pick apart the investigation and remember the three precious victims. Stay tuned for Part 2 Sources will be provided after part 2 is available....

Feb 25, 2022•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 2

Episode 1: Everett Community College Arson

On February 16, 1987, Warren Burns, a seasoned firefighter, was a newly appointed fire investigator on duty in Everett, Washington when a fire was reported at Everett Community College, where Burns himself had studied Fire Science. On his way to the scene, he heard the unthinkable over the radio, a firefighter had been separated from his team and was trapped inside the burning Library. The firefighter was Gary Parks, a close personal friend of Burns’. Gary Parks died that night in the line of du...

Feb 13, 2022•54 min•Ep. 1

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